“Silence is not the absence of something, but the presence of everything”
Gordon Hempton
THERE IS NOISE for every moment of our lives. The more technology, the less silent the world.
The TV in the background for company; music in our ear – something to suit our mood, to remove us from a present we don’t want to engage with; the song from a phone never on silent, ready for someone to make contact, to press the ‘like’ button. The instant gratification of the Dopamine hit to feel good, to feel of worth, to feel present in this world. There is nothing instant in silence, so we ignore its existence. If we encounter it, we want to break it.
Years ago, visiting a retreat centre with a friend, we were shocked to discover mealtimes were silent. Diners could bring a book to read, but if we spoke, it meant instant ejection from the room. She and I sat across from each other in what was, for us, an expression of madness. We could not look at each other because when we did, bubbles of laughter sprang into our mouths. It took all of our self-control to contain ourselves. Dutifully, we looked at our books and read not a word. I remember no mouthful of that meal, but I remembered, when released, our swift exit, which turned into a run for our room. Shutting the door, we flung ourselves on our beds, our bodies heaving with uncontrolled hilarity.
The effect of silence.
We couldn’t handle it.
What did we fail to understand?
Do we live in a state of perpetual fight or flight, with raised heart rate and elevated blood pressure, terrified by silence? How will our bodies react if we remove the stress of noise, moving from a constant state of alertness to rest?
If we allow silence into our space, we can expect in our enforced relaxation, a sense of battle to de-clutter our mind and heart. Working purposefully on stilling the constant bombardment of outside noise and stimuli beckons the revealing space inhabited by silence, which allows reflection and magical possibility.
Are there decisions to be made? Letting go of the constant churning of our minds allows a thoughtfulness which can bring meaningful revelation. Eschewing the barrage of outside information grants fresh insights into the self. As our minds calm, we can reach for a peaceful quietude and embrace fresh creative thinking. It can turn our existence from living reactively into thought through response. It allows questions to emerge. Thinking before speaking or acting permits assessment of potential outcomes and summons wisdom.
Silence is a place that is pregnant with purpose. It is a place of unrestrained creativity. The more it is experienced, the vaster it grows. A place of exploration, delight, mystery and spirituality.
What if miracles wait to event in our lives, but our ‘silence avoidance’ halts their passage?
There is a sensation called the autonomic sensory meridian response (ASMR) which is a pleasurable tingling sensation that starts all the way up on our scalp, creeps down our neck and then through the backbone. As if someone gently traced a finger down our spine inducing a feeling of euphoria and release of anxiety. One thing that can induce it is whispering; a herald perhaps to silence.
Sit and allow the silence to fall and journey. May the ‘still small voice’ whisper tenderly and distinctly. Beckon the silence and allow a growing sense of awe to goosebump your body.